There comes a time when you just want something different. Since we all can't own enough banjos to suit our varying tastes from day to day, a fact that our neighbors and loved ones no doubt celebrate, we must instead tinker with our instruments now and again to make new sounds.
My banjo needs a tonal makeover. Right now it is set up with Ome heavy strings, a thin goatskin head and a 5/8-inch bridge of medium weight, all on a 12-inch rim with a Dobson-style tone ring. There is also a swatch of duct tape under the bridge and a wad of plastic grocery bags wrapped with tissue paper stuffed between the head and dowel stick to mute harsh overtones.
Like many old-time banjo players, I'm always in search of the perfect "plunky" sound. However, I've come to the conclusion that stuffing the pot isn't getting the job done. While this practice cuts down on high-pitched brightness, it also kills the warm timbre associated with skin heads. Also, why have a tone ring if you're going to keep it from ringing?
Last night, I was playing around with just muting the strings at the bridge and got some good results. This led me to believe I should either wrap my strings in duct tape a la John Herrmann ...
Or I should get new strings. While I have liked the Ome heavies, I've grown bored of their sound. Today, I put in an order for some Chris Sands heavy strings.
In the past, I've tried various nylon strings, from cheap La Bellas to Aquila Nylguts, but I never found those strings quite to my liking. They always seemed too slack and sounded dull. Way back when we featured Jeff Delfield and his Deep Creek Strings banjos, he suggested trying the Chris Sands strings. They are thicker and higher tension than the previous nylons I've tried, so perhaps they won't be so floppy and dull.
Only time will tell if these strings provide the plunk I'm looking for or if I'm going to have to get a new roll of duct tape.
What's your preferred setup? Do you use steel or nylon strings? Skin or synthetic head? How much duct tape?
My banjo needs a tonal makeover. Right now it is set up with Ome heavy strings, a thin goatskin head and a 5/8-inch bridge of medium weight, all on a 12-inch rim with a Dobson-style tone ring. There is also a swatch of duct tape under the bridge and a wad of plastic grocery bags wrapped with tissue paper stuffed between the head and dowel stick to mute harsh overtones.
Like many old-time banjo players, I'm always in search of the perfect "plunky" sound. However, I've come to the conclusion that stuffing the pot isn't getting the job done. While this practice cuts down on high-pitched brightness, it also kills the warm timbre associated with skin heads. Also, why have a tone ring if you're going to keep it from ringing?
Last night, I was playing around with just muting the strings at the bridge and got some good results. This led me to believe I should either wrap my strings in duct tape a la John Herrmann ...
Or I should get new strings. While I have liked the Ome heavies, I've grown bored of their sound. Today, I put in an order for some Chris Sands heavy strings.
In the past, I've tried various nylon strings, from cheap La Bellas to Aquila Nylguts, but I never found those strings quite to my liking. They always seemed too slack and sounded dull. Way back when we featured Jeff Delfield and his Deep Creek Strings banjos, he suggested trying the Chris Sands strings. They are thicker and higher tension than the previous nylons I've tried, so perhaps they won't be so floppy and dull.
Only time will tell if these strings provide the plunk I'm looking for or if I'm going to have to get a new roll of duct tape.
What's your preferred setup? Do you use steel or nylon strings? Skin or synthetic head? How much duct tape?
I'd trade my first-born (well, almost) for that sound from John Herrmann's banjo. I had seen (and bookmarked) this YouTube video before, but had never noticed the duct tape on the bridge.
ReplyDeleteI use steel strings because that's what I happen to have several sets of on hand. I did try Aquilla, and liked them. I likely will go back to them when I use up all the steel. My banjo has a 12" head, brass hoop tone ring, Fiberskyn head, Grover bridge and No Knot tailpiece. In the 11 years I've had it, the only thing I've changes is strings and what I stuff in it to play while Mrs. Wanda is sleeping. It takes a LOT of stuffing to keep her asleep! Bubble wrap, tanned possum hide, newspaper, small towel, larger towel. Current stuffing is a small pillow. When I leave the house with it, the stuffing usually stays home. I don't try to change the sound, that's what I fell for when I bought it. And that's what multiple banjos are for. Though finances aren't likely to allow me multiple banjos.
ReplyDelete